By Francis Ajuonuma
Angry teachers, labour activists and civil society groups on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, condemning what they described as the slow pace of efforts to rescue teachers and schoolchildren abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The demonstrators said anxiety was mounting across the state as the victims remained in captivity weeks after they were kidnapped, warning that insecurity around schools had become a major threat to education.
The protest, organised by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group alongside the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), attracted scores of participants carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they demanded urgent government intervention.
The abducted teachers and pupils were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Ogbomoso.
Addressing protesters during the rally, the National President of the NTC, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said the organisation joined the demonstration to support the victims’ families and push for stronger rescue measures.
“When we heard about the proposed protest by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group, we were satisfied and decided to join them because what they are doing is lawful,” Thomas said.
“They are demanding pragmatic action from the government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students.”
Thomas acknowledged that security agencies were making efforts to free the victims but insisted that the current response had not produced the expected results.
“If the government is trying and the desired result has not been achieved, then more efforts must be intensified. We want the government to do more to rescue the teachers and pupils,” he added.
He expressed concern over reports that some of the kidnapped children, including toddlers, were being held under harsh conditions in the bush.
“We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. These victims are in danger, and nobody knows who could be next,” he lamented.
The union leader also urged the government to strengthen security around public schools by deploying armed personnel to vulnerable communities.
“We want the government to attach security personnel to all government schools. We cannot continue to work while living in danger,” he said.
Thomas, however, maintained that the protest was not aimed at the governor, whom he praised for his administration’s performance.
“No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Seyi Makinde because he has performed excellently well. However, we need regular updates on efforts being made to rescue our teachers and students,” he stated.
Responding on behalf of the government, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Commissioner of Police Sunday Odukoya, assured protesters that authorities were actively working to secure the release of the victims.
“It is your constitutional right to protest and let the government know your concerns. This incident is unfortunate, but I want to assure you that the government is not folding its arms over the matter,” he said.
Odukoya noted that certain operational details could not be made public to avoid jeopardising ongoing rescue efforts.
“Since this incident happened, Governor Seyi Makinde has been on top of the situation. I have personally visited the area several times, and both the traditional ruler in Esiele and residents of Yawota can attest to the government’s efforts,” he added.
He further assured demonstrators that no teacher or participant in the protest would be harassed or victimised by the state government.
“Governor Seyi Makinde believes strongly in the rule of law. No teacher involved in this protest will be victimised. That has never happened under this administration, and it will not happen,” he stated.
*Demonstrators fault slow rescue efforts amid growing captivity fears
Despite the assurances, protesters insisted that government must act faster to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, stressing that the victims’ continued captivity had heightened fears among parents, teachers and residents.
“We are not against the government, but we are appealing to its moral conscience. The government must intensify efforts and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils,” the group said.
